Heather was appointed Open Heart Kitchen’s Executive Director in January, 2017. Prior to this role, she served as the Executive Director of Monterey Zoological Society, and co-founded Elephants of Africa Rescue Society where she also served as CFO. She brings over 18 years of experience in Nonprofit Management and utilizes her experience to drive organizational growth without compromising program quality.
Shawnda joined Open Heart Kitchen in November of 2010 as a Site Supervisor before assuming the role of Volunteer Coordinator. Whether you are a guest or a volunteer, Bost has a passion for helping people find their “fit” in the Open Heart Kitchen family. Under her leadership, Open Heart Kitchen’s volunteer base has grown to one of the largest volunteer networks in the Tri-Valley. She assumed the role of Program Manager in 2021.
Denise oversees fundraising and donor relations for Open Heart Kitchen. Denise has experience in fundraising, marketing and event planning for various nonprofits including The Health Trust, Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund and Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Most recently, she was the development officer at the Bankhead Theater where she was responsible for sponsorships, grants, and major gifts. She currently volunteers for Mighty4 Arts Foundation and serves on the board of Tri-Valley Haven.
When did you join the OHK team? : I have volunteered for OHK since 2015, and I joined the team in 2017.
What is your favorite meal? : Escalope de veau Montagnarde
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : I love to bake breads
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : All 3 together!
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : The hiking trails and vineyards.
What is your favorite OHK meal? : Definitely our stuffed bell peppers.
Christi has been with Open Heart Kitchen since 2015. Christi worked in customer support before becoming a stay at home mom to her 3 children. Through her position at Open Heart Kitchen she encourages her own children to volunteer in the kitchens and learn the importance of giving back to the community. When she's not giving back to the community she can be found gardening, or in her kitchen baking up a delicious new confection!
When did you join the OHK team? : My first day was Wednesday, July 7th, 2021.
What is your favorite meal? : Rice and black beans with plantains cooked by my mom.
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : I love cooking breakfast, especially poached eggs over bread and cheese.
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Salty and Sweet together!
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : I love the weather and being close to water.
Chef Jorge joined our team in 2020, bringing his 20 years of experience in commercial kitchens. Chef Jorge's passion for cooking was inspired by helping his mom in the kitchen when he was growing up. He loves to prepare meals for people to enjoy, and he definitely gets to do that as he helps lead the OHK team in the production of more than 800 meals daily! When Jorge's not making delicious meals for our neighbors in need, he enjoys basketball and mountain biking.
Rosalba joined our kitchen in 2020.
Todd serves meals and breakfast bags to our unhoused neighbors 5 days a week, as well as delivers meals to our Senior & Hot Meal sites. Before joining the OHK team, Todd was a stay at home dad and worked with middle school-aged kids at Crosswinds Church in Livermore. He has been married for 25 years to his wife Synthia, with whom he has a daughter, 2 dogs and a rescue cat.
Tanaka joined our kitchen in 2020.
When did you join the OHK team? : I joined in mid-June of this year, 2021. I used to volunteer at my local OHK in Livermore in high school, and when I saw a job opportunity posted, I was super excited to apply.
What is your favorite meal? : I love Mediterranean food, so a yummy falafel wrap is always a go-to for me! 🙂
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : Double chocolate chip cookies, or cupcakes (I love decorating them so much). I also really love baked salmon with pine nuts and a yummy pesto sauce.
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Sweet.
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : I was born and raised here in the Tri-Valley in Livermore, and what I love about this area is access to so many beautiful hiking spots. There's always somewhere to explore. The open space and nature really make me feel at home, and I love learning about wine when wine tasting at all of the local wineries.
What is your favorite OHK meal? : Pasta; spaghetti and meatballs or mac and cheese. (I never really worked in the kitchen though, but whilst volunteering I helped serve this and it was a fan favorite for sure!
When did you join the OHK team? : Kaleigh joined our team in 2020.
What is your favorite meal? : Chicken strips
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : My favorite thing to make is pancakes
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Spicy
When did you join the OHK team? : I joined OHK in 2000 as a volunteer, and became one of the first (of only three) staff members in 2001. I became a Site Supervisor, and joined the OHK Board of Directors in 2005 while continuing site-supervising. I started working on the Street Outreach Team due to COVID-19 in March 2020.
What is your favorite meal? : Grilled salmon
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : Portuguese Sweet Bread
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : I’m a sweet / salty fan!
What is your favorite OHK meal? : Clients tell me their favorites are: spaghetti, barbecue chicken, lasagna and chile beans.
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : The country atmosphere, family-friendly feel, scenic rolling hills & vineyards.
When did you join the OHK team? : I started July 2021.
What is your favorite meal? : My favorite meal is lasagna or any type of pasta.
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : I love to bake cupcakes.
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Salty and spicy is my favorite combination!
Sharon has been with Open Heart Kitchen since 2014 and oversees the Senior Meal service at our Livermore Community Center site, as well as the Hot Meal service at our Asbury and Trinity sites.
Heather is a third generation (and raising the fourth!) Livermore resident who has a long history of volunteering in the community. She has recently made the career change after 30 years in the restaurant industry to join Open Heart Kitchen to pursue her passion for giving back to our community. In her time off she enjoys finding unique travel adventures within the Bay Area and cooking for Cub Scout camps every summer.
When did you join the OHK team? : I started at Open Heart Kitchen in June 2020 as an assistant cook and moved to the Livermore location in late August 2020.
What is your favorite meal? : My favorite meal, I have to say, is breakfast. There’s so many variations but usually something that includes eggs and potatoes, and waffles. Definitely waffles. And did I mention bacon and sausage? Also, I really like a good burger.
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : I really enjoyed grilling and barbecuing, smoking meats, and making sausages and bacon from scratch.
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Definitely spicy.
What is your favorite OHK meal? : The bell pepper casserole is always good, as is the chili with cornbread. The kitchen also makes a really great meatloaf.
When did you join the OHK team? : I joined OHK in December, 2020.
What is your favorite meal? : Mac and cheese
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : Blueberry pancakes
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Sweet
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : My favorite thing about the Tri-Valley is that it's nice and quiet.
Evelyn moved to California from Chicago in 2005, and joined the Open Heart Kitchen family that same year. The things that Evelyn enjoys most about working for Open Heart Kitchen is the sense of fullfillment and purpose that it gives her, as well as working with Open Heart's volunteers and staff.
When did you join the OHK team? : August 2021
What is your favorite meal? : Sopes
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : Breakfast (Omelets, Pancakes, Waffles, etc)
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Sweet for sure!
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : Proximity to all of Bay Area and weather
When did you join the OHK team? : I joined the OHK team April 2021
What is your favorite meal? : My favorite meal is any kind of Mexican food
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : I like to cook Pozole
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Salty, Spicy, and Sweet
Jody has been a long time volunteer, and joined our team at the Dublin Senior Center in 2020.
Linda joined Open Heart Kitchen as a Site Supervisor in July, 2017. Volunteering at the Pleasanton Senior Center and working with her fellow volunteers sparked her interest in joining our team. Prior to coming to OHK, Linda worked in tech in Silicon Valley, but realized her real passion was working with food and interacting with people. Linda makes every diner that walks into our dining room feel special, and she has a gift for telling our diners' whole stories in a way that is both empowering and uplifting.
Patricia has been a regular volunteer for many years, and joined our Pleasanton Senior Center team in 2020.
Smruti grew up in India and has been living in the United States for the past thirty years. She has an educational background in nutrition and dietetics and enjoys cooking and trying out various ethnic foods. She loves to travel, garden, and her new found interest of quilting. Smruti joined the OHK team in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic to assist with the Senior Meal Program at the Dublin Senior Center. She feels happy to give her time and use her education to serve the community.
When did you join the OHK team? : September, 2021.
What is your favorite meal? : BBQ Chicken
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : Cheesecake
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Salty & Sweet (dark chocolate sea salt caramels!)
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : I love the weather, hiking trails, downtown atmosphere, close community
Martin joined our grocery distribution team in 2020, and joined our production kitchen team in 2021.
When did you join the OHK team? : I joined the team in early March 2021
What is your favorite meal? : Roasted Lamb
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Always Sweet. I'll always be a baker at heart.
Cameron joined our grocery distribution team in 2020
Steve is a proud Dublin resident who spent nearly 30 years of commuting into Silicon Valley where he worked for the San Jose Mercury News as a reporter, deputy managing editor and editorial page editor. Instead of retirement, Steve yearned for “refirement": something less career-driven and more service oriented.This passion lead him to Open Heart Kitchen.